Silver dollars minted during the early 20th century are beautiful pieces of US coinage, so you shouldn’t be surprised that they are trendy among collectors nowadays. Most of them prefer to purchase coins in excellent condition, which is not such hard as it might look at first sight.
The minimum 1942 Walking Liberty half dollar value is about $10 for a coin in good condition, while you need to pay at least $30 for more quality pieces. Be prepared that proof coins and those produced in San Francisco and Denver mints are more expensive because they are rarer, especially in higher grades.
1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value
Adolph A. Weinman created beautiful Walking Liberty silver half dollar the US Mint produced from 1916 to 1947. Most collectors consider this coin the most beautiful the US Mint ever struck.
You will enjoy the elegant obverse showing Lady Liberty walking over rocky terrain and wrapped in the American flag. Laurel and oak branches symbolize prosperity and strength, while Lady’s hand that outstretches towards represents hope in a new day.
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar |
|||
Location | Year | Minted | Value |
Philadelphia | 1942 | 47,818,000 | $15 |
Philadelphia | 1942 proof | 21,120 | $400 |
San Francisco | 1942 S | 12,708,000 | $15 |
Denver | 1942 D | 10,973,800 | $15 |
Total | / | 71,520,920 | / |
As always, you will find inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST and the date on this coin side. The American Bald Eagle at the reverse stands on a rocky outcrop, representing America’s roots.
The designer added three inscriptions at the reverse, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and HALF DOLLAR. His initials AAW appear under the eagle’s wing.
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar |
|
Face value | 50 cents ($0.50) |
Compound | 90% Silver – 10% Copper |
Coin weight | 0.4409 ounces (12.5 g) |
Coin diameter | 1.2047 inches (30.6 mm) |
Coin thickness | 0.0708 inches (1.8 mm) |
Shape | Round |
Edge | Reeded |
1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Types
Three mints produced Walking Liberty half dollar in that war year 1942:
- Philadelphia minted these silver coins without a particular mint mark and proof pieces
- San Francisco minted these silver coins with an S mint mark
- Denver minted these silver coins with a D mint mark
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar* |
|||
Quality | 1942 | 1942 S | 1942 D |
Good | $15 | $15 | $15 |
Very good | $17 | $17 | $17 |
Fine | $18 | $18 | $18 |
Very fine | $20 | $20 | $20 |
Extra fine | $20 | $20 | $20 |
About uncirculated | $24 | $24 | $23 |
MS 60 | $44 | $44 | $42 |
MS 63 | $69 | $85 | $95 |
Proof 65 | $676 | / | / |
*by USA Coin book
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar without a mint mark
The Philadelphia mint produced 47,818,000 Walking Liberty half dollars in 1942. These coins are worth approximately $15 in low grades. On the other hand, you need to set aside a couple of hundred dollars for a 1942 Double die reverse piece.
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar* |
||||
Year | Quality | |||
Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
1942 | $13 | $16 | $18 | $22 |
1942 S | $13 | $16 | $18 | $22 |
1942 D | $13 | $16 | $18 | $20 |
*by JM Bullion
1942 proof Walking Liberty half dollar
The Philadelphia mint struck only 21,120 Walking Liberty half dollar proofs in 1942, but it is actually the highest mintage since the beginning of production.
Since most proofs weren’t released into circulation, you can effortlessly find a piece in excellent condition on the current coin market.
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar* |
||||
Quality | 1942 | 1942 Double die reverse | 1942 S | 1942 D |
Good | $10 | / | $10 | $10 |
Very good | $10 | / | $12 | $10 |
Fine | $12 | $20 | $15 | $12 |
Very fine | $15 | $30 | $18 | $15 |
Extra fine | $16 | $40 | $19 | $16 |
AU | $17 to $25 | $50 to $125 | $20 to $40 | $17 to $30 |
MS 60 | $30 | $130 | $45 | $35 |
MS 62 | $40 | $140 | $50 | $60 |
MS 63 | $50 | $150 | $65 | $75 |
MS 64 | $70 | $250 | $100 | $100 |
MS 65 | $90 | $500 | $250 | $140 |
MS 66 | $150 | $650 | $525 | $225 |
*by Coin World
As always, only the Philadelphia mint produced proofs this year. These coins are highly valuable, depending on their grade:
- PR 60 is worth $250
- PR 62 is worth $350
- PR 63 is worth $400
- PR 64 is worth $425
- PR 64 C is worth $3,000
- PR 65 is worth $450
- PR 66 is worth $500
- PR 67 is worth $750
1942 S Walking Liberty half dollar
Thanks to its silver content, each saved coin of 12,708,000 produced in the San Francisco mint in 1942 is worth at least $9. That is the silver value at the current precious metal market. However, you can get $15 for a piece in decent condition.
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar* |
||||
Quality | 1942 | 1942 Double die reverse | 1942 S | 1942 D |
AU | $19 | $35 | $35 | $32 |
MS 63 | $50 | $200 | $50 | $70 |
MS 64 | $60 | $350 | $80 | $85 |
MS 65 | $95 | $430 | $375 | $255 |
MS 66 | $200 | / | $1,095 | $276 |
MS 67 | $860 | / | $6,600 | $750 |
*by COIN HelpU
On the other hand, an uncirculated MS 65 coin is costly, and you can get about $250 for it. A relatively rare 1942 MS 66 Walking Liberty half dollar can reach $525 at auction.
1942 D Walking Liberty half dollar
Since the Denver mint stuck 10,973,800 Walking Liberty half dollars in 1942, they are not particularly rare. You can buy a piece in decent condition for $15. Coins in the mint state can bring you $35 to $225 at auction, depending on the grade.
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar* |
||||
Coin | Quality | |||
Good | Fine | Extra fine | ||
1942 | $6.5 to $7 | $7.5 to $8 | $10 to $12 | |
1942 S | $6.5 to $7 | $7.5 to $8 | $10 to $12 | |
1942 D | $6.5 to $7 | $7.5 to $8 | $10 to $12 |
*by Coinflation
As always, you can get the best price only after the top coin grading company certifies your coin.
Walking Liberty Half Dollar Set
Nowadays, many collectors tend to complete a Walking Liberty half dollar set. They prefer coins in both circulated and uncirculated conditions, depending on the budget they have at their disposal.
Some collectors have taken advantage of the economic disruptions of recent years and bought even keywords at a more affordable price. Since this set doesn’t contain any expensive rarities, you can complete one in circulating condition for less than $2,000.
On the other hand, the entire MS 65 set is costly, and you need to set aside at least $700,000 for it. It is primarily because of the precious 1919 D coin that can reach more than $300,000 and the 1921 S piece worth $250,000.
1942 proof Walking Liberty half dollar* |
|
Quality | 1942 |
PR 60 | $299 to $344 |
PR 61 | $325 to $374 |
PR 62 | $364 to $419 |
PR 63 | $416 to $478 |
PR 64 | $442 to $520 |
PR 65 | $488 to $585 |
PR 66 | $618 to $715 |
PR 67 | $910 to $1,090 |
PR 68 | $3,750 to $5,880 |
PR 69 | $24,000 to $30,000 |
*by Greysheet
As for the 1942 coin, now is the moment for acquiring. Due to the current market situation, even those in MS 68 are significantly cheaper than in the past.
Short set
The 1942 coin is a part of the so-called Walker Short Set, which includes 20 pieces minted from 1941 to 1947. Except for costly MS 67 grade coins, you can buy this set at an affordable price nowadays.
The 1941 S Walking Liberty half dollar is the rarest piece in this set with the lowest mintage, and it can be costly. The price of the coin in the highest grade can run approximately $25,000.
1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Grading
Determining the Walking Liberty half dollar value is not a complicated task. You need to check the exact coin type and its scarcity. Finally, it is essential to determine its condition precisely.
Since most pieces minted this year were in circulation for a long, only a limited number are in the mint state nowadays. You can always check the coin you have and approximately determine its quality and value.
If you have a highly preserved piece, it will be necessary to have it professionally checked.
Uncirculated – Such a coin spent no time in circulation. Therefore, it has retained the original mint luster and has no signs of wear.
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar* |
|||
Quality | 1942 | 1942 S | 1942 D |
AU | $20 | 3$5 | $32 |
MS 63 | $53 | $56 | $70 |
MS 64 | $60 | $80 | $85 |
MS 65 | $95 | $375 | $253 |
MS 66 | $207 | $1,090 | $275 |
MS 67 | $860 | $6,610 | $750 |
*by Coin HELP
Extra fine – It is an eye-appealing coin with visible details in Liberty’s gown. You can see slight signs of wear, particularly at Liberty’s extending arm and her leg’s backside.
Fine – Since this coin spent some time in circulation, you can notice flatness from Liberty’s head to her foot. However, inscriptions and the major design elements’ details are still visible.
1942 Walking Liberty half dollar* |
|||
Quality | 1942 | 1942 S | 1942 D |
Good | $8.5 | / | / |
Very good | $8 | $8 | $9.3 |
Fine | $9.3 | $9 | $11 |
Very fine | $10 | $12 | $13 |
Extra fine | $14 | $10 | $13 |
About uncirculated | $16 | $17 | $14 |
Uncirculated | $32 | / | / |
*by Numista
Good – You can see only the outline of Liberty on this heavily worn coin surface. All details are smooth, and only prominent gown folds are still evident.
Summary
Many collectors want to have Walking Liberty half dollars in their collections, including the one minted in 1942. However, you can’t expect to get too much money for this particular piece since tens of millions of coins were minted that year.